Well hello Again!!!

The time seems to fly beneath my excitable feet!

Not sure if that makes any sense, but I decided to try poetic devices (perhaps I should flee from this notion)....anyway... this week has been wonderful in many ways, and frightening in many others...

First of all, my time has been surprisingly full, even without the weight lifting classes to attend. Honestly, I miss that interaction with students on a consistent basis, particularly since it's a new group of guys and I am not able to see their first few weeks! Oh well, it was decided between Cory and I that I would regularly be a part of 5th period weights, since the class is 6 girls, and he feels uncomfortable w/ the class being in a rather remote location... just to be cautious (since no one else is around the gym at that time, like we had during 7th period guys last semester).... Anyway, that's exciting for me, as I am happy to be a part of that class (and the girls assured me they are as well).

So, with that to look forward to, I am glad to see Cory doing well in his student teaching. We really have worked together well, and his ideas are good, including a few more points of structure to the class. I feel much more confident about 2nd semester classes, and I think perhaps any confidence will be more than I had before beginning classes this year, since being a new teacher is incredibly intimidating! By the end of 1st semester, however, I felt quite close with the girls in my class, and I wrote them all a card, which I think they appreciated! (hmm, this occurred awhile back, but I think I forgot to mention it).

Alas, my news is not over.... as I have a bus episode to relay. Actually a few.... yet neither involve me as the driver, exactly. Okay- story #1: A few weeks ago I was sick so another volunteer agreed to take my bus run. At the last minute I checked in to see if she wanted me to drive, since I was capable, although not very well. She assured me it was fine- and I thought nothing of it, until she returned and I came to understand that she actually got stuck for about 45 minutes- and had an awful time of trying to get out, etc. I thought to myself, hmmm, lucky me, being sick and all.... :):)

Story #2: Last Friday I was driving to the Pow Wow (which I shall speak on further)... and I came upon what seemed like a bus accident just outside Red Cloud! I thought to myself- please don't be a Red Cloud bus!!! Yet sure enough, one of our busses was in the ditch (mind you, several cop cars surrounded the scene as well, adding to the suspense)...while another of our busses was pulling it out of the ditch. I was concerned for the driver, but I was also on a mission of sorts (again, will elaborate later)...so I couldn't turn around to be with this volunteer and hear the story... thus, I heard the story later: while driving back to Red Cloud, Amanda (name changed for privacy) drove the bus about 50 mph, clearly under the speed limit- yet all of the sudden came upon a BLACK HORSE running toward her on the highway! Amanda swerved to miss it, yet hit it anyway and proceeded down into the opposite-side ditch. WOW! I could not believe she hit a horse with a bus- not that it had anything to do with her fault, but why was a black horse on the highway? Your guess is as good as mine.

In other news, my 1st Lakota/Lakhota class on Wednesday ended up to be cancelled, since the instructor went to the wrong college site. hopefully this week he gets it right, I want to learn Lakhota!!! :) Also, I went to the Pow Wow on Friday in Pine Ridge, which was a wonderful time- it wasn't too packed, but several Red Cloud students and faculty were there, so it was great to be a part of it...and actually, I went in a special capacity (which is why I didn't have the option of turning back when I came upon the bus incident)... I went as a REPORTER! Yes, you may be asking- for whom? Well, the Rapid City Journal recently contacted me about reporting from the Pine Ridge area, and that is precisely what I will be doing.... in fact, my first article was about the hand games competition at the Powwow, and you will find it at this site:

http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2008/01/26/news/local/doc479c1344677a3864261237.txt

I say this week has been wonderful, because of the many new opportunities which have been present, and also I am extremely grateful for my health, but the scary parts have also come along with the good, including the horse incident, which puts me on edge as I drive at night, and I was extremely nervous about my article which I submitted for the Sunday paper.

Overall I would say that I feel satisfied, since I spend my days doing what I love- interacting with people of all ages, particularly youth, planning and organizing various events, being available for random assignments, working out, spending down time with my housemates, and doing the occasional living room dance... when flooded with a surge of energy or excitement. You know me- and I assume this statement does not surprise you!

Okay, I am calling it quits for tonight. I shall go retrieve the van bus keys for tomorrow, since I will be going to the Treaty Council with my student council- oh so exciting! I shall report more later. This moment of the week always excites me, as I push the 'publish post' button and share my energetic, albeit random, happenings and thoughts.

Much peace be yours- and watch out for those black horses!
Emily

Well at last...

What a difference having your health will make! My goodness, I feel so much better now that I am nearly over whatever dreadful virus took hold of my system this past month! And good thing, since I have much to tell....

Last week was a combination of trying to get well and enduring the anticipation which accompanies having good days, only to be reminded the next day of your continued illness. However, I am feeling my best yet, which is a wonderful way to enter this new semester.

Last week the students had the final week of 1st semester classes, including the highly anticipated semester finals!!! My week at school began pretty slowly, with my weight lifting classes maxing out for a final grade and after-school program consisting primarily of study hall...(which I happened to moderate two consecutive days, for lack of ambition in recruiting another faculty member). Tuesday came, and along with it- the possible idea of taking a fan bus to the Hanson Classic in Mitchell, SD (appx. 5 hours in a bus). Hmm, my initial reaction? Nope. Sorry guys. Yet after a conversation with the principal, and receiving his 'blessing' of sorts, I quickly worked out the necessary details and soon had a fan bus permission slip filtering through the mass of students. Needless to say, that- along with after-school program, sophomore student council re-elections, containing crazy boys the last week of weight lifting, new student council plans, and basketball games, I had a wonderfully productive and full week!!!

So I come to the point of sharing what is perhaps one of the most adventurous stories of my time here yet!!! Here goes.... All the necessary details were in place for our trip to Mitchell to cheer on our guys who happened to be playing a local rival, St. Thomas More of Rapid City, in the final 'capstone' game of the Hanson Classic. After securing what seemed like many unknowns concerning a possible sellout at the Corn Palace and number of students attending, etc., I felt good about our trip. Saturday morning I am warming the bus up in my warmest attire (yep, pretty darn cold here, at present), and have much excitement about this long day.... after all, it will totally be worth the trip- allowing a number of students to participate in the game, whereas otherwise they would not have the transportation to make it happen personally. Plus, I had spoken with my parents, and they managed to come out for the game as well- so bonus, right? I even snuck away from the crowd for dinner and conversation with my parents!

Turns out the bus ride there was great- a few stops later, we arrive on time in Mitchell to buy admittance for everyone, hurray! After waiting through a few games prior to ours (and enduring the chaos of limited seating), we finally find room in the student cheering section to watch the action up close (turns out all my scheming of how to sound authoritative when procuring seats for my fans in a sell-out crowd wasn't so necessary after all)... Anyway, the game was close, and the last four minutes were so nerve racking (for me, that is)...that I simply could NOT sit down. Our team won by a few points, our cheering section rocked, and all was well as we headed home....

You may be asking at this point...what, exactly is so adventurous about this story? Well, if this is you, then the excitement begins... My other driver Joe and I decide to split the trip home, so he agreed to drive the first portion of the trip, and I the second. We make our way on the interstate just fine, until about 1 1/2 hours outside Mitchell.... the bus begins to have issues. At first some minor things, like going more slowly up hills (and I'm well aware now that this simply happens in a school bus sometimes)...but I soon recall driving this way TO Mitchell, and not having any problems with hills. Okay, so we go a little further and the speed begins plummeting....as in, we are now going 25 mph. So, I make the executive decision to pull over the bus and I get out to inspect under the hood (I know, you may be slightly skeptical, but I was seemingly the most knowledgable adult present...remember me passing the 80 pt. bus inspection? Yep, that's right). Okay, although we found out what amounted to very little, we did attract several vehicles' attention, including the Red Cloud team bus, a very fortunate happening.

Knowing little about the fate of our bus, we get going once again as I make several phone calls to secure the relocation of our students....So the team bus graciously waited for us in Murdo, SD... and after we chugged along (our speed slightly increased after stopping...what a great idea, Emily!)... we finally made it to Murdo and sent the students on their way home. The excitement continued for me and the rest of the chaperones, as we tried putting additive to the fuel in order to 'de-wax' the fuel filter... but after waiting for awhile at the truck stop and cruising along the highway at a max speed of 35 mph, we decide to go back into Murdo and leave the bus there (on instruction from our bus garage manager, Linn). Most thankfully, Russ our dean of students happened to present in the mix and was able to give us exhausted and relieved chaperones a ride back to Red Cloud. As a capstone to the night, I shall say that we also got the car stuck in a snowbank AFTER arriving back to Red Cloud...and the driver's name shall remain anonymous! (it wasn't me!) :) All in all, it amounted to a pretty fantastic adventure, even after falling down laughing in a snowbank at 4 am.

Whew, little space to say much else- but I do have a few things to comment on, as you know- it's always a good time here in Pine Ridge! I shall be starting a Lakota Language class at the Pine Ridge OLC college center, and today's my first class!!! I am super pumped, as another co-worker Leah will be taking the class with me! And speaking of Leah (who teaches art)- I shall perhaps be participating in her sculpture class as well, 2nd period, what fun! AND one week from today, our student council will be traveling to the Treaty Council for the Reservation, which includes a visit from both senators and our SD representative... a good experience for the student council, and a great time off school for me! :):)

I believe that is about it- still managing to get details in place for the Custer HS exchange visit, and I am also adjusting these next several weeks to the idea of not having weight lifting class! Turns out my student activities roles actually do take up much of my time here- which is a wonderful thing...the days I am productive are the days I leave with a smile on my face.

I wish you all well- to whomever might be reading this- and for those who expected something yesterday, my apologies, thus far I haven't received any hate mail from a certain friend in Cali., so I think I'm alright. :)

Much love to you all- and if you ever have questions about Pine Ridge, do let me know, b/c sometimes I get so immersed in my daily routine, I forget that major happenings occur all around me here on the Rez. Okay, peace out!

Emily

Brighter days ahead.

I have chosen to frame my current situation within a positive mindset.

See, I have been sick now for three weeks. I feel as if this is some unjust life circumstance, considering the fact that I lead an otherwise very healthy lifestyle. However, I realize that sickness is simply a test of patience, and although it has at times brought me to tears of frustration, I am overall quite positive about the situation (the situation being my sinusitis has transformed into bulging tonsils w/ white spots....hmmm).... so despite the 1/2 way closed off throat, I am feeling a bit better. :)

On to more important events in my life. I successfully managed an entire week of school upon coming back to Red Cloud. I recall writing last time about my hesitations, concerns about the level of reception from students, and my goodness, I should not have worried! The first morning I was back, students were waiting by my door to come in and speak with me about break- or whatever drama happened to be occuring in their lives. :) And of course I was immediately reminded of why I love this job so much! Despite being sick (and honestly, when you're sick, students are worried for you, it's great!)...the interaction with students was still great. One girl in particular I am extremely concerned about, which has been a little disheartening, yet it's also great to know that she continues to be honest with me.

Hmm, bus driving was a bit slow this week. Funny how I think about bus driving being a means toward really great stories- but none to speak of, really. Monday I had exactly 1 student to drive home (I know, feels a bit silly in a big 'ole bus w/ 1 student), yet it was fantastic, since I am close with her and we shared some much needed girl talk! :)

Oh yes, my new student teacher, Cory. He's really fun to have around, he asks good questions, observes while simultaneously planning his own class policies (which may be quite a bit different than mine, since he actually must make lesson plans, etc.) :) I like to have someone to share my weight room interactions with on a daily basis, and he is interested yet also fine with moments of no conversation, which is a blessing as well! Hmmm, gosh, I feel as if last week was a daze in many ways, since I was sick and not thinking 100% clearly. After school program, pretty great! I took the study hall on Thursday, and of course I love being there to hear the ranting of high schoolers, complaining about who knows what- instead of working on homework. It is a challenge I have, to balance chat time with true work time for those students who are failing (since....as you might imagine....the students who are failing often times do so b/c of their tendencies toward chatting!)

Oh, how could I forget!!! This weekend possesses a truly entertaining story from my Saturday excursion to Chadron. A few points to mention from Katie's experience: 1. Pharmacies need the Licence number of your doctor to process a prescription. 2. NO hair-cutting place in Chadron is open on the weekends. 3. Not all Super-Walmarts have hair-cutting facilities. Okay, on the entertaining, although less-informative part of my Saturday....

So a group of us 1st year teachers met up for dinner and a movie in Chadron, which was excellent time spent discussing the blessings and curses of various students :):):) Okay, no real curses were shared, just warnings.... anyway, we decide to go see "P.S. I love you"...which left me with a smile on my face, despite the mid-movie explosion which occurred directly behind me! So I'm sitting in my seat, enjoying the movie, when a funny part occurs, and some people laugh- while the guy behind me sounds as if he spits his drink out, since it's so funny. I think to myself, hmm, wasn't THAT funny....and turn around to see what stranger has an overly-sensitive sense of humor, when I realize that the guy wasn't actually spitting out his drink... rather, he was spewing out vomit!!!! Yikes! His look of surprise was confusing, as the vomit clearly smelled like alcohol, and I sit there a bit stunned, hoping beyond hope that when he stood up to leave and concurrently spewed a bit more- that it would NOT land on me! Despite the fact my shoes and bag felt wet (ended up being a psychological phenomenon, not reality)...I was just fine, moved seats, and proceeded to enjoy the rest of the movie. Hence, I ended with a smile on my face. Too bad that other puking guy wasn't smiling.

So, there you go. I don't think I've even been puked on during a roller coaster, let alone during a 'P.S. I love you' movie! Hey, it was a new experience, and being open minded, I shall take it for what it's worth.... a good story. :)

Anyway, I'm back here for another full week. It's the last week of the 1st semester, so my weight students are maxing out this week, getting graded on their improvement...an interesting thought, considering Xmas break caused most of their muscles to atrophy. Oops. Anyway, my first semester of real teaching nearly done. Whew, what a ride!

This is all for now. I cannot think of any other extremely interesting news. Our house received a new heater recently. Turns out a heater which quits every-other day needs to be replaced! Now my room smells like sulfer, or rotting mice, (similar odors). And the warmth from the heater now amplifies the smell. What a great thing! (Actually I'm being dramatic for the sake of writing, it's really not horrible....mostly....yeah).

Okay, calling it quits for lunch. I believe it's corndogs w/ tator tots! Who could ask for more...it's free! Thanks for tuning in to this weeks, "Pine Ridge reflections!!!"

Much love,
Emily

A fresh start...

'Tis January 6th, and I am much overdue for a blog entry.

Sitting in my office here, preparing for the rush of students tomorrow, I am excited for the fresh start, but also a little leery of beginning again- and what that might bring. Have almost 3 weeks off makes me a little nervous that I will forget a name, or somehow forget how to interact with high schoolers. I think these are irrational fears, so I shall prompty forget them and focus on my excitement, whew, okay!

Although my break was both fulfilling and relaxing, I somehow managed to catch what we suspect (and tests shall confirm or deny shortly) to be the whooping cough, in addition to a sinus infection. Ah, so literally every day since Christmas now I have been dealing with the additional stress of illness, but amazingly so- I still had a wonderful time with family and friends over break... and other than raving about my students, I put little thought into school work... One idea I did procure over break, which I am thoroughly excited about, is a "would you rather" board... YES! I think this will be a great avenue for conversation with the students...they can add their ideas to the questions I ask, such as "would you rather be a monkey or a lion" and "would you rather be able to fly or read other people's thoughts?" Yes, I know- quite profound, really. :):)

It has been good to be back and see my fellow volunteers again... just last night I had a conversation with Rachel about our reflections over break, our undecidedness about a lot of personal choices, and our resolve to be more positive and faithful this second half. I really enjoy fresh starts, and this one in particular is exciting for me- here are a few of my ideas:

-Not eat as much fried foods (already broken, but hopefully redeemable)
-Take a Lakota Language class (and quickly learn the specifics of registering for that class)
-Speak only positive things of my co-workers and housemates
-Not spread my illness (yikes, it's considered a disease!)
-Read through the NRSV translation of Scripture
-Take care of myself physically and emotionally.

Okay, so you might be thinking "this is pretty boring stuff, Em- I mean, usually you have stories about students to share, or something of that nature"- but must I remind you that I have recently been on a 'siesta from school'; hence- no great student stories until...TOMORROW!!!

Um, I retract that last statement- I actually want to share with you a bit about my bus driving experience in Rapid City the weekend before Christmas. First of all, the wrestlers are a great bunch of students, and they made my time worthwhile. The first day they took it easy, practiced a bit and such, and after watching the guys' b-ball game in the evening, I was to pick them up behind the civic center. I stroll out to my bus, feeling pretty good about the day (minus the awfully cold weather)....only to find that the massive amount of space I had thought would be surrounding my bus only amounted to 2 feet in the front and 4 feet in the back. The front was blocked by a suburban, but the back was thankfully blocked by a car pulled in at an advantage angle. Thus, after resolving to NOT go inside and make a "move your car, please" announcement, I tested my maneuvering skills. After a few- perhaps several- pulling forward and reversals, I managed to successfully squeeze out of the space, WOW! Yes, I did feel pretty great about that, but more great about the lesson "Empty spaces WILL fill up with time- be cautious of where you park a bus."

Later that night when I was picking up the guys, the process took a whole lot longer than expected, and this security guy came to direct me into a parking space behind another bus to wait, so... as I am backing up to do a parallel parking job of sorts, a senior wrestler who is pretty 'tough' and not all that talkative, says to me as I'm backing up...in all seriousness..."Oh my gosh, aren't you scared? I'd be SO nervous if I were you right now!" It was a funny reminder that having a CDL somehow makes guys respect me more as a woman...and that I enjoy! The best part of the day came when two of the junior wrestlers exited the bus and to thank me for driving, they both gave me hugs!!! Awe, so sweet- which is sometimes necessary to counteract the several random trips back to the bus to unlock and re-lock (in nearly negative weather conditions). Hmm, all in all, a pretty wonderful experience.

Okay- this is it- I'm calling it quits on my rambling, for my housemate Katie is about to arrive and I would like to be home to greet her!

A few things to look forward to in my next post:

-hopefully I am well. (Okay, I'M looking forward to this) :)
-An update on my new student teacher friend, Corey
-Responses to the "would you rather" wall.

That's all for now, folks! May you experience the abudance of all life offers as 2008 begins in full swing for us all!

Emily Nicole